English Smallsword for Comment

Radboud · 6th September 2021, 10:30 AM

This is my second smallsword. Described as an English silver hilt smallsword c.1770 it, unfortunately, has no discernable silver hallmarks. I haven't had it tested for silver, but it isn't magnetic.

The blade is hollow ground triangular cross-section without a makers mark. It is decorated with a mix of etching and engraving on the forte of the blade. Regrettably, the blade has a slight warp to it.

LOA: 922mm
Blade: 763mm
Weight: 330grams
POB: 80mm

Would welcome any feedback on the style possible maker.

fernando · 6th September 2021, 11:29 AM

Beautiful

.

mariusgmioc · 9th September 2021, 01:53 PM

Yep, English, from the end of 18th centrury would be my guess (maybe contemporary to mine so the estimate of 1770 seems reasonably correct).

I would still look for the silver marks as English silversmiths were pretty thorough with their markings (see for example the arrow in the photo).

Very nice piece.

Richard G · 9th September 2021, 03:13 PM

If it's English and silver it should be hallmarked. It was (and still is) a legal requirement. Even the 2" blade of a fruit knife would be marked. It is almost impossible for something like this to be made of silver in England and not be marked.
Regards
Richard

Radboud · 9th September 2021, 11:57 PM

Thanks for the replies.

Mariusgmioc, unfortunately, that is part of the decoration.

Richard, was there an obligation to display the hallmark? Could it be covered by another part of the guard?

Thanks
Bas

Radboud · 10th September 2021, 08:50 AM

This is the closest I could find to what might be a hallmark.

Located at the top of the knuckle bow where it joins the annelet. The other photo is for comparison for the detail that is on the obverse side.

midelburgo · 10th September 2021, 02:09 PM

What I find funny is that initially, the point of this style of decoration was that the owner was able to pay for the time of somebody cutting tiny parts of hard steel and put them together.
If it is made of silver this effort is something else. Now, the point is in the value of the material.

Richard G · 17th September 2021, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radboud

Thanks for the replies.

Richard, was there an obligation to display the hallmark? Could it be covered by another part of the guard?

Thanks
Bas

I don't know, but logic seems to indicate it had to be visible. You wouldn't want to dismantle a sword to find out if it was hall marked or not.
Hall marking of silver in the UK has been ongoing for 700 yrs. It is ingrained in the culture to the extent anything not hall marked is viewed with distinct suspicion. Indeed, the suspicion I'm displaying now!
Regards
Richard

6th September 2021, 10:30 AM	#1
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 226	English Smallsword for Comment This is my second smallsword. Described as an English silver hilt smallsword c.1770 it, unfortunately, has no discernable silver hallmarks. I haven't had it tested for silver, but it isn't magnetic. The blade is hollow ground triangular cross-section without a makers mark. It is decorated with a mix of etching and engraving on the forte of the blade. Regrettably, the blade has a slight warp to it. LOA: 922mm Blade: 763mm Weight: 330grams POB: 80mm Would welcome any feedback on the style possible maker. Attached Images

9th September 2021, 01:53 PM	#3
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,875	Yep, English, from the end of 18th centrury would be my guess (maybe contemporary to mine so the estimate of 1770 seems reasonably correct). I would still look for the silver marks as English silversmiths were pretty thorough with their markings (see for example the arrow in the photo). Very nice piece. Attached Images

9th September 2021, 03:13 PM	#4
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 402	If it's English and silver it should be hallmarked. It was (and still is) a legal requirement. Even the 2" blade of a fruit knife would be marked. It is almost impossible for something like this to be made of silver in England and not be marked. Regards Richard Last edited by Richard G; 9th September 2021 at 03:28 PM.

10th September 2021, 08:50 AM	#6
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 226	This is the closest I could find to what might be a hallmark. Located at the top of the knuckle bow where it joins the annelet. The other photo is for comparison for the detail that is on the obverse side. Attached Images

6th September 2021, 11:29 AM	#2
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Beautiful .

9th September 2021, 11:57 PM	#5
Radboud Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: New Zealand Posts: 226	Thanks for the replies. Mariusgmioc, unfortunately, that is part of the decoration. Richard, was there an obligation to display the hallmark? Could it be covered by another part of the guard? Thanks Bas

10th September 2021, 02:09 PM	#7
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 248	What I find funny is that initially, the point of this style of decoration was that the owner was able to pay for the time of somebody cutting tiny parts of hard steel and put them together. If it is made of silver this effort is something else. Now, the point is in the value of the material.